Nguyen Thi Anh Vien: From SEA Games to Olympics, the pride of Vietnamese sports

Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, the "Little Mermaid" of Can Tho, is a Vietnamese swimming legend. She dominated the SEA Games with 25 gold medals, reaching the world's Top 10. The journey of this youngest Lieutenant Colonel is an extraordinary symbol of will, iron discipline and dedication.

Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, born on November 9, 1996, in Ba Cau hamlet, Giai Xuan commune, Phong Dien district, a peaceful riverside area in Can Tho city, is a name that cannot be ignored when talking about the history of modern Vietnamese sports. Not only is she a swimmer with a huge list of achievements, she is also a symbol of extraordinary efforts, iron discipline and strong patriotism. Anh Vien's journey from a little girl swimming in Ba Cau canal to "Super Whale" dominating the region and reaching the world is an inspirational story.

The river water nurtured a swimming genius:

Since her childhood, Anh Vien has been attached to the cool water of the river delta in the West. Swimming for her is not only a sport but also a survival instinct, a childhood game. It was Anh Vien's grandfather who first discovered and nurtured this natural talent. He taught her to swim, instilling in her a boundless love for water. Anh Vien's talent began to be noticed when she was in 5th grade and was selected by the school to participate in the Phu Dong Sports Festival at the district level.

The biggest turning point in the life of the Can Tho girl came at the age of 10. The rare qualities of a top swimmer – long arm span, big feet, and long smooth muscles – did not escape the eyes of scouts. Anh Vien was selected by the National Defense Sports Center 4 (Military Region 9) and began her professional training journey. Having to leave her family early, accepting a disciplined and unfamiliar military environment, was a big challenge, requiring her to have a spirit of independence and the will to overcome difficulties from a very young age. This was the first brick, creating the perseverance and steely will of the "Little Mermaid" later.

US training in exchange for historic gold medal:

After officially joining the national swimming team in 2011, Anh Vien was quickly recognized as a "treasure" and the golden hope of Vietnamese sports. To nurture this talent, the Vietnamese sports industry made a historic decision: to invest heavily, sending Anh Vien to long-term training in Florida, USA - one of the world's leading swimming powers. This six-year investment program cost up to nearly 7 billion VND, a record number for an individual athlete in Vietnam.

Training life in the US was a harsh and lonely time. Anh Vien had to face a huge training intensity: 8 to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, with close supervision from the coach. The discipline did not stop at the swimming pool but also extended to her nutrition: every day, she had to consume a large amount of protein, including at least 1kg of beef, 50 shrimp, along with noodles, salad and fresh milk. This sacrifice required Anh Vien to almost completely cut off contact with her family, focusing solely on the goal of conquering the green race track. There were years when she only visited home for a day. However, this strategic investment brought worthy results.

Top 10 in the world and the endless olympics:

Anh Vien's success has not only stopped in Southeast Asia but also reached out to continental and world arenas. Right after her success at the 27th SEA Games, she won a gold medal at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in the 200m medley, a historic achievement for Vietnamese swimming. Then, at the 2014 ASIAD, Anh Vien continued to make a splash when she won 2 bronze medals in the 200m backstroke and 400m medley.

2015 marked another milestone when Anh Vien won 2 silver medals at the FINA World Cup in Moscow, proving her ability to compete with the world's top athletes. In particular, at one point she entered the world's Top 10 in the 400m individual medley, an unprecedented position for a Vietnamese swimmer. Anh Vien is also the only Vietnamese swimmer to participate in three consecutive Olympic Games: London 2012 (at the age of 16), Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. Although she could not reach the Olympic medal, her continuous participation and improved performance affirmed Vietnam's position on the global swimming map. In total, she won about 150 medals of all kinds during her peak career, making her a living legend.

Military honors and academic excellence:

After leaving the green racing track, Anh Vien continued to work in the army, where she had been attached since childhood. Thanks to her extraordinary contributions and achievements, she was quickly promoted. She was specially promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant in 2013, and then to Major before retiring. Notably, in July 2023, Anh Vien was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of Professional Soldiers at the age of 27. With this rank, she became the youngest professional soldier lieutenant colonel in Vietnam, a rare honor and a worthy recognition for her tireless contributions to the Fatherland.

Besides her military career, Anh Vien also demonstrated her efforts in studying. She graduated with honors from the 42nd class of the Faculty of Sports Training, Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports. Her scientific research topic in the field of swimming was not only highly appreciated.

Mission to clean up swimming lanes for future generations:

Currently, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien's life has entered a new phase, focusing on realizing personal plans and spreading positive values to the community. She spends time modeling advertisements, participating in social activities, but more importantly, on the mission of popularizing swimming.

Anh Vien opened a swimming club named after herself and actively teaches swimming through social networks. With humorous and easy-to-understand swimming videos, along with the familiar message "Swimming is easy, Vien will show you," she has become a social media phenomenon with millions of views. This action not only helps the community gain more swimming knowledge but also strongly inspires, especially children and teenagers. Anh Vien, with a kind heart and a sense of responsibility, continues to contribute to society, not only as an athlete but also as an educator and an inspiration. The legacy of "Little Mermaid" is not only 25 SEA Games gold medals or broken records, but also the strong will and dedication that she has engraved in the hearts of Vietnamese fans.

Anh Vien is no longer the cold swimmer, but the girl who makes netizens crazy! Ponni21:35:32 26/06/2025Anh Vien suddenly reappeared with a completely different appearance and demeanor, surprising both fans and experts. Her return not only caused a stir on social media but also sparked many speculations.